A total of 4,574 health facilities across Ghana are currently offering services under the government’s Free Primary Health Care programme, Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh has disclosed.

The initiative is currently being rolled out in 135 of the country’s 216 districts, with all 16 regions represented in the first phase.

Providing an update on the programme on Monday, September 7, Mr Akandoh said government intentionally selected underserved districts as the initial beneficiaries to ensure communities with the greatest healthcare needs receive priority.

He listed the Upper West, Upper East, Oti and Western North regions among areas where the programme is already operational.

The government’s broader target, according to the Minister, is to extend free primary healthcare services to every part of the country by the end of 2027.

“We have 135 districts out of the 216, and they are all in the 16 regions. So in every region, we have selected the deprived district to be part of the first phase,” he said.

Mr Akandoh said the facilities covered by the programme include 3,781 CHPS compounds, 746 health centres and 48 polyclinics, in addition to other participating facilities.

He noted that the programme is also being implemented beyond state-owned health facilities, with institutions affiliated with the Christian Health Association of Ghana (CHAG) and the Ahmadiyya Muslim Mission also providing services under the initiative.

“We’re not leaving anybody behind,” the Minister said, underscoring the government’s commitment to expanding access to essential healthcare services.

The Free Primary Health Care programme is intended to reduce the financial burden associated with accessing basic healthcare, while promoting early intervention and disease prevention.

Government says the initiative is also expected to strengthen primary healthcare delivery by shifting greater emphasis towards preventive care and ensuring that people can access essential services without cost becoming a barrier.